Farmall 340 starter troubles

[Pete7]

I’ve had trouble starting the 340. The starter sometimes just clicks, mostly when the engine is hot. Starter was rebuilt 3 months ago. Battery is new and charged when trouble occurs. Cables clean and all connection tight. I do have a worn ring gear that I’ve dressed up in the past so I suspect this is the cause. Starter teeth and ring gear jamming. But I just took the starter off and the starters gear doesn’t seem to retract fully or with force
First pic shows gear in forward( engaged) position and second pic shows at were it hangs up. If I give it a little push it will retract fully. It’s as if the return spring isn’t strong enough to retract it fully on its own. Question is- should it be able to push that gear fully back to the retracted position?

 

[560Dennis]

I don’t see any issue to expound upon with the photos .
I assume the switch contacts to starter base are alignment and surfaces makes good contact. and lever .
The engine flywheel ring gear usally stopped at about same position when shut down . To experiment , move the flywheel 30 degrees after shut off and see if the problem stops .
If it does then split it and get ring gear from YT parts .
Video will help with ring gear removal , your ring gear will have a chamfer on the inside diameter of ring gear .

 

[504]

I suspect a bad selinoid or key switch. Take the selinoid off and dress up the contact and try it

 

[Janicholson]

If you loosen the starter when it just clicks, and in the process it makes a snapping noise, the drive pinion is getting stuck/jammed in the teeth of the flywheel. replace the starter drive to fix it. Jim